Dating as a Student in 2017: Uniplaces Survey Results

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Students follow traditional rules of dating but are more open to sex

Over 3.200 students from 72 different countries answered the Uniplaces Student Dating and Relationship Survey. The numbers are in and some were quite surprising! From the sexiest nationality to who should pay the bill on the first date, check out what dating as a student is like in 2017:

1. Italian charm

Italian charm conquers all! Italian students were considered the sexiest nationality, followed by the Spanish and Australian.

Clearly a match made in Southern European heaven, Italian and Spanish students find each other the sexiest nationalities. However, both British and German students consider themselves the sexiest nationality — certainly making it easier to find people to date without moving to another country.

2. Not much for looks

Both female and male students agree that someone’s personality is by far what makes someone more attractive. Have no fear — even humour and intelligence come before looks, which only came in fourth place.

If you’ve been blessed with a high IQ, your intelligence is more likely to impress an Italian student. And if you share similar interests, you’re more likely to appeal to a French student’s eye. Note that you can also conquer your way into a German student’s heart with your humour, since they think it’s more important to be funny than attractive.

3. Haaaave you met Ted?

A big chunk of students keep on relying on friends when looking for a date, meaning the wingman role is still very much intact.

Compared to other nationalities, British students find more dates while getting physical at the gym.

4. Love on a touchscreen

The digital world hasn’t convinced students that love can be found on a touchscreen — only 9% think dating apps are the best way to finding a date. Social media is used a bit more, however. Facebook is king, followed by WhatsApp, Instagram, Tinder, and Snapchat, which shows love is still hardly found with a swipe.

While they’re not used that much, British students use dating apps the most, specifically Tinder (ze French prefer Happn).

5. Check, please

Both genders agree that it doesn’t matter who pays the bill on the first date — however, less than 0.5% think it should be the woman and more than 40% of male students think they should be the ones to pay on the first date, which still matches the traditional “dating rules”.

Contrary to fellow Europeans, only 10% of Spanish students think men should pay the bill on the first date, while Portuguese students are the most keen on splitting the bill. Also worth mentioning: not one single British student thinks it should be the woman — ladies, head off to the pub for a good time!

6. It’s official

A surprising 35% of students still consider it required to be formally asked to be in a relationship to make things official. Half of them, however, consider it official simply by developing feelings.

When making a relationship official, Portuguese students value developing feelings the most, while French students are the ones who consider it the most important to be formally asked — better start practicing your je t’aime.

7. Bow chicka wow wow

Almost half of all students agree that sex is okay anytime and don’t believe there is a right number of dates until sealing the deal.

Italian students are the most conservative when it comes to sex — 39% feel sex is only okay in a relationship. Spanish students are the most caliente open about sex — 63% consider sex is okay at anytime.

To sum it up, we can safely assume that:

The perfect student to date is Italian,

has an appealing personality,

and is open to sex

Thank you to everyone who took part in our survey! You can check out our complete infographic below (click on it to see it in full size). Happy dating!

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Who do you think should pay the bill on the first date? Is sex really okay anytime? Let us know in the comments. And remember: if you need student accommodation, you’ll find the perfect student home on Uniplaces.com.